They also both reached a level of film immortality that very few movies can equal.
Both deal with evergreen topics of redemption, friendship, and feeling trapped.
Much like the Jimmy Stewart classic, I think Shawshank will be watched for generations.
It was called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.
I love the story and read it a couple times before I saw the movie.
Even knowing the ending before I saw the movie, I still loved it.
I’m clearly not alone.
It’s one of the most rewatchable movies ever.
There’s an element of just enjoying hanging out with these guys.
Morgan Freeman is never better than he is as Red.
No one is better as adapting Stephen King than director Frank Darabont.
Sadly, Darabont stopped making movies.
He hasn’t directed a movie since The Mist in 2007.
It’s really too bad.
He captures King like no other.
Of course, you see Andy struggle but it’s the story of Brooks that is the most heartbreaking.
He literally can’t exist in a life with freedom because he’s been locked up for so long.
Maybe if The Shawshank Redemption came out in a different year, it would have gotten more attention?
This is also true about the aforementioned It’s A Wonderful Life.
These are movies that deal with prison and suicide.
These should not be movies that warm your soul.
But these classics also embrace the human condition.
They do it with no irony and with open hearts.
These are sincere movies and that’s what they last.
We are certainly more cynical than we were in 1946 when It’s A Wonderful Life came out.
We’re also angrier than we were when Shawshank was released in 1994.
The Shawshank Redemption
4.
Good Will Hunting
5.
The Silence Of The Lambs
8.
The Sixth Sense
10.
A Few Good Men
14.
The Truman Show
16.
There’s Something About Mary
20.
Schindler’s List
22.
Saving Private Ryan
25.
Dumb & Dumber
27.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
31.
Out Of Sight
36.
Carlito’s Way
37.
Wayne’s World
45.
Back To The Future Part III
47.
A Bronx Tale
48.
The People Vs. Larry Flynt
49.
Eyes Wide Shut
50.
The Green Mile
54.
Man On The Moon
55.
Boyz N The Hood
56.
Grosse Pointe Blank
57.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
63.
The Usual Suspects
65.
In The Line Of Fire
66.
My Cousin Vinny
67.
The River Wild
79.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
Stir Of Echoes
82.
Mission: Impossible
83.
For Love Of The Game
86.
Being John Malkovich
87.
Men In Black
88.
Glengarry Glen Ross
92.
Die Hard With A Vengeance
93.
The Blair Witch Project
94.
Any Given Sunday
99.
The Wedding Singer
100.
